Snowboarding and surfboarding are two sister sports that many believe are very similar to one another. While that may be true, the two sports also contain a few key differences that would make it somewhat difficult for someone to transfer between the two sports. Below we will examine the key similarities and difference between these two boardsports that have grown so much in the previous years.
Similarities
Balance
Both snowboarding and surfing require a boarder to balance themselves on their boards. In order to participate in either sport, a boarder must master balancing. Balance is essential when not only standing still, but when moving as well.
Waiting
Snowboarders and surfers need to wait before riding. Surfers often need to wait among masses of other surfers before hitting a wave, while snowboarders often need to wait to board a chair lift or hit a slope. Both require waits to ensure that someone does not get hit while a boarder is riding. Riders in both sports are very careful not to cut someone off and disturb their line.
Differences
Paddling versus Chair Lifts
To ride the waves, a surfboarder needs to paddle out to the wave and time their movements with the wave. On the other hand, a snowboarder has to take a chair lift to the top of a slope in order to ride the mountain. Though both involve some sort of preparation in order to hit a line, the preparation required for both are different.
Standing
Both sports require balance in order to stand on the board, but surfing requires a different kind of balance. The water, underneath a surfboard, is already moving, which can make it difficult to stand up straight. Standing on a snowboard is somewhat difficult to the slipperiness of the ice and slopes, but the ground does not move as you try to maintain your balance on the board.
Though the snowboarding and surfing share their similarities, they have major differences that make it somewhat complicated to transition from one to the next. Both sports are great and teach essential skills in balance and general riding. Therefore, getting better in one of the sports may make it easier to transition to the other.
